Allegations that British troops in Helmand are snide, underequippedand often need rescuing have soured relations
US Accuses Britain Over Military Failings
In Afghanistan -- Times Online
In Afghanistan -- Times Online
The performance of Britain’s overstretched military in Afghanistan is coming under sustained criticism from the Pentagon and US analysts even as Gordon Brown ponders whether to send in further reinforcements.
Robert Gates, the US Defence Secretary who has been asked to remain in his job under Barack Obama, is understood to have expressed strong reservations about counterinsurgency operations in British-controlled Helmand province.
He has already announced plans for a surge of 20,000 US troops into Afghanistan but Mr Brown, who was given a bleak progress report when he visited Afghanistan at the weekend, is said to be reluctant about committing another 2,000 British troops on top of the 8,400 already there.
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My Comment: This is Basra all over again. Iraq and U.S. forces were frustrated with British military rules for engagement when it came to the fight in Basra and the need to defeat the Shiite militias in the city. What further poisoned the relationship occurred when it was found out that the British High Command had made deals with militia leaders to leave them alone if they were left alone .... a complication that was evident when they did not help the U.S. and Iraqi armies during the height of the fighting in Basra itself.
I do not have any intelligence or information .... but I would not be surprised if it becomes reported that this behavior and policy is being repeated in the British controlled areas of Afghanistan.
My guess is that Canadian , Dutch, and American soldiers are feeling that the British are not doing their part in the war effort for their part of Afghanistan, and are now voicing their concerns.
